Goat Springs

Goat Springs is an area just south of the urban area of town, not as far-reaching as it used to be, where youth used to go for adventure.  It was a place for a simpler time.

The Goat Springs area is near the area where the T.P.&W. tracks cross Farm Creek just south of what is now Timber Rail in the Steeplechase Estates Subdivision. 

Back in the day, access to the Goat Springs area was gained by walking west on the tracks from town. The shortest access point was from the sewage treatment plant area at the end of what is now Woodland Trail.

In the early 1900s, the area was part of the A.G. Danforth Stock Farm, so it is possible the name “Goat Springs” originated from some activity at the Stock Farm, which dealt with many different animals on their property, including goats, horses, and cattle.  At one time, the farm had over 500 goats.

In 1923 the state leased a large tract of land (1200 acres) southwest of Washington, including the Goat Springs area, for five years to serve as a nature preserve to help increase the number of birds and mammals in the area.

In the early to mid-1900s, Heyl Pony Farm would bring its own horses down from its North Main Street property to graze in this area in the summer months.

As development crept toward Goat Springs from the north and south, developer Herman Essig deliberately decided to leave the area untampered as a potential escape for youth.

Stories of the fun had at Goat Springs are vague yet show a simple yearning to get away and have a good time.  Camping, hunting, swimming, and just time away from parents, which, of course, could lead to the occasional shenanigans.